EP0958207B1 - Apparatus and method for temporarily storing or buffering of products - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for temporarily storing or buffering of products Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0958207B1 EP0958207B1 EP96935582A EP96935582A EP0958207B1 EP 0958207 B1 EP0958207 B1 EP 0958207B1 EP 96935582 A EP96935582 A EP 96935582A EP 96935582 A EP96935582 A EP 96935582A EP 0958207 B1 EP0958207 B1 EP 0958207B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- products
- product
- outfeed
- infeed
- ggg
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/34—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor
- B65G47/46—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points
- B65G47/51—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination
- B65G47/5104—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G17/00—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface
- B65G17/002—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising load carriers resting on the traction element
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G35/00—Mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for
- B65G35/06—Mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for comprising a load-carrier moving along a path, e.g. a closed path, and adapted to be engaged by any one of a series of traction elements spaced along the path
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/02—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors
- B65G47/04—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles
- B65G47/06—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines
- B65G47/08—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
- B65G47/082—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding grouping articles in rows
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/22—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors
- B65G47/26—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
- B65G47/261—Accumulating articles
- B65G47/268—Accumulating articles by means of belt or chain conveyor
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/34—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor
- B65G47/46—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points
- B65G47/51—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination
- B65G47/5104—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles
- B65G47/5109—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles first In - First Out systems: FIFO
- B65G47/514—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles first In - First Out systems: FIFO using stacking and/or destacking arrangements or stacks of articles or article carriers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G65/00—Loading or unloading
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
- B65G2201/02—Articles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2207/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional details, configuration and additional features of a handling device, e.g. Conveyors
- B65G2207/06—Air cushion support of articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2207/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional details, configuration and additional features of a handling device, e.g. Conveyors
- B65G2207/14—Combination of conveyors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2207/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional details, configuration and additional features of a handling device, e.g. Conveyors
- B65G2207/46—Tray unloading features
Definitions
- Packaged or non-packaged (naked) products are usually temporarily buffered or collected from a production supply for the subsequent fully or partially automatic further processing, such as measuring, counting, packaging, coding etc., in an apparatus which is especially suitable for this purpose.
- An example of such an apparatus is described in applicant's European patent 0 509 583.
- the present invention provides an above mentioned apparatus for temporarily storing or buffering and/or setting to pitch of products, which is characterized in that said carrying means comprise one or more product carriers for carrying two or more products, said product carriers being movable independently to and from the conveyor and being loaded and unloaded with products at the infeed and outfeed locations respectively the transport of said product carriers at said outfeed and said infeed and outfeed locations being substantially independent of the movement of the conveyor track or belt.
- the carrying means preferably comprise a product carrier for receiving a plurality of products fed mutually adjacently, which product carriers can then be transported over the conveyor belt at for instance relatively low speed.
- Preferred embodiments of the product carriers comprise for this purpose a tooth track on the underside of a product carrier, suction means close to an infeed location, or a groove or a pin on a product carrier whereby transport thereof can take place in precise manner.
- the present invention further provides a method and a product carrier for use in the apparatus and method according to the present invention.
- the product carrier is preferably constructed from standardized carrier elements and the product carriers are releasably connectable to each other.
- product carrying elements 10, 11 are fed onto a conveyor belt 12.
- the product carriers are provided with a tooth track 13 respectively 14.
- the product carriers 10, 11 are transported in the direction of arrow A by means of pinions 15 respectively 16 which engage on racks and which are connected via shafts 17 respectively 18 to an electric stepping motor 19.
- the drive of shaft 17 takes place via a toothed belt 20, wherein it is recommended that shaft 17 is driven at slightly greater speed than shaft 18 by means of a correctly chosen transmission ratio.
- Shaft 17 is further provided with a slip coupling 21. It is important that product carriers 10, 11 can be filled successively in accurate manner with products P, P', P".
- toothed wheel 15 By causing toothed wheel 15 to run faster the product carrier 11 is caught up by product carrier 10 and the latter can connect precisely onto product carrier 11 at the infeed station.
- the slip coupling 21 prevents the product carrier 10 pushing product carrier 11 further along in the connected position. Toothed wheel 15 is pressed firmly into the toothing 13 by a spring 23 which is arranged on a frame part 22.
- the product carriers 10 and 11 can be driven stepwise or at a more continuous speed.
- the product carriers 30, 31, 32, 33 are transported in the direction of arrows B, C and D and supplied and discharged using a conveyor belt 34.
- a conveyor belt 35 provided with suction apertures 36 is driven faster than conveyor belt 34 such that product carrier 30 is moved toward product carrier 31 in accelerated manner and held fixedly by suction through apertures 36.
- a further conveyor 37 provided with carriers 38 ensures that the product carriers are moved at the correct (stepped or continuous) speed to a position close to a feed conveyor 39 for feeding products Q into the product carriers.
- the final position of the product carriers relative to the feed conveyor 39 can be determined by the carriers 38 and the speed of the drive belt 37, which is slightly lower than the speed of belt 35 whereby some slip of the product carriers occurs relative to conveyor 35.
- the degree of suction through the suction apertures must be adapted accordingly.
- products R are fed into a product carrier 40 which is preferably driven intermittently using an electric motor, in each case until an opening of the product carrier 40 arrives in front of a feed conveyor 42.
- the product carrier 40 (and corresponding product carrier 43) are each provided with a cam 44, the presence of which is detected by a control system (not shown) by means of a ratchet 45.
- a product carrier 50 is driven intermittently as according to arrows E by a conveyor 51 with carriers 52. During the standstill period the product carriers 50 can be loaded with products S via feed conveyor 53. Using a pushing member 54 one product carrier 50 at a time is pushed from the main conveyor belt 55 in the direction of the arrow F onto the final conveyor 51, while it is guided back as according to arrow G onto the main conveyor belt 55 using guides 56 and 57.
- product carriers 61 are provided on the underside with gripping elements 62 which are gripped on both sides by belts 63, 64 and 65 respectively. These belts are pushed against the gripping elements 62 using bellows members 66, 67, 68 and 69 which are filled with liquid or gaseous medium and which are brought under pressure in each case during transport in the direction of the arrow H.
- the infeed of a product into product carrier 61 is preferably determined using a photocell, whereafter transport takes place intermittently using belts 63-65 and bellows members 66-69.
- the product carriers 61 do not have to connect to each other seamlessly.
- the product carriers 70, 71 and 72 being moved forward in the direction of arrow I are provided with a guide groove 73 on the underside thereof.
- the product carriers are provided in each case with a cam 74 onto which engages a pusher part 75 which is pushed by pushing cylinder 76.
- In the groove 73 engages a pin part 77 which is moved reciprocally according to arrow J along slide rod 79 using a cylinder 78.
- the underside of pin 77 is guided in a curve path 81 using a wheel 80, whereby pin 77 is also moved up and downward as according to K.
- Portions 82 of groove 73 are embodied in each case slightly deeper than the other parts thereof in accordance with the guiding in the curve path 81.
- the displacement through one infeed position for feeding products T above product carriers 90 is realized in co-action with a pushing cylinder 91, a pusher part 92 of which engages on protrusion 93, and a curve roller 95 driven by an electric motor 94 in the curve of which a pin part 96 engages in each case on the underside of the product carriers.
- An apparatus 100 as according to fig. 8 comprises a main conveyor belt 101 driven substantially at constant speed on which product carriers 102 are discharged at the outfeed station 103 using discharge device 104, such as a so-called top loader, for instance in (cardboard) boxes 105.
- discharge device 104 such as a so-called top loader, for instance in (cardboard) boxes 105.
- On the supply side 106 are placed two feed conveyors 107 respectively 108 with which the product carriers 102 must be filled with products.
- each of the embodiments shown in fig. 1-7 can be used for the infeed stations 109 respectively 110.
- a conveyor 111 is placed adjacently of the main conveyor belt 101, to which conveyor 111 product carriers are fed by means of a pushing device 112, which product carriers are returned to the main conveyor belt 101 using a second pushing device 113.
- product carriers 120 are filled with products T from a supply conveyor 122 at an infeed station 121 and emptied at an outfeed station 122, using for instance a pick-and-place robot 123, into a box 124 for further processing of the products T.
- the emptied product carriers 120 are transported back via a return conveyor 125, whereafter they can be fed again onto the main conveyor belt 126 on the left-hand side 9.
- Fig. 10 illustrates an arrangement wherein products Q are fed into product carriers 131 at an infeed station 130 and subsequently transported via the main conveyor belt 132 to an outfeed station 133, taken from the product carriers 131 and placed into packagings 134 for instance using a top loader 135.
- Fig. 12 shows a preferred embodiment of an outfeed station 140, wherein products V are pushed, using fingers 147 on a pushing member 148, out of a product carrier 141 into a box 149.
- a plurality of such pushing members 148 can of course be arranged adjacently of each other.
- two product carriers 141 are arranged one above the other and a pushing member 150 is provided with fingers 151 arranged adjacently of and above each other to slide products V into a box 152.
- the product carriers such as 141 of fig. 12 and 13 can be buffered in a buffer station 160 (fig. 14).
- a product carrier 141 is fed into the input end 161 and added to the bottom of stack 162, while at the top an upper product carrier is added to a second stack 162.
- a product carrier 170 is for instance first of all filled with a packaging 171 which is placed in product carrier 170 by a placing member 172 provided with teeth. Products W are then placed in the direction of arrow M into the product carrier provided with a packaging 171. The packaging with products W is subsequently pushed upward out of product carrier 170 by a press-out member 173.
- products Y are placed into product carriers 201 at infeed station 200 and products Y are removed by a robot arm 203 at outfeed station 202, whereafter product carriers 201 return to feed part 205 upside down along the underside of the transporting device 204. In this manner an extremely compact apparatus according to the present invention is obtained.
- a product carrier 210 is shown in which products Z are arranged in a plurality of product carriers with products in a number of different directions, a so-called multiple product carrier, which can have advantages in particular applications.
- FIG. 19 Another embodiment of a multiple product carrier is shown in fig. 19, in which products Z are placed in the same direction adjacently of each other in a multiple product carrier 212 and can be discharged simultaneously into three boxes 214 using pushing members (for instance as in fig. 12) which are not shown in fig. 19.
- products AA are pushed out of product carrier 220 using a pushing member 221 and into a stationary product carrier 222 which is arranged in alignment with product carrier 220, so that the product carriers do not have to wait until a robot arm 224 has finished discharging products from a product carrier but a new product carrier 220 can be transported directly in front of pushing member 221.
- a plurality of product carriers 241 is emptied using a robot arm 240, whereafter these product carriers can be discharged at a level under the supply belt 242 by a conveyor belt 243 to further accelerate discharge of the products.
- the product carriers 241 are gripped at the sides by side belts 244 and clamped therebetween during discharge of the products, whereafter product carriers 241 are released by the side belts 244 and fall onto the lower conveyor belt 243 under the influence of the force of gravity.
- full product carriers 245 are received by a conveyor 246 which moves up and downward, wherein the full product carriers 245 are first moved upward, then emptied using a robot arm 247 and subsequently further transported in empty state on a parallel conveyor belt 248.
- the products BB are discharged into a box 249.
- This preferred embodiment has the further advantage that while products BB are being transferred into the box 249 by robot arm 247, a number of full product carriers can already be standing ready thereunder.
- the preferred embodiment of fig. 24 relates to the situation wherein products CC in a product carrier 251 are turned over using a manipulator 252 and, in a turned-over position designated with dotted lines of product carrier 251 above a box 253, a plate 255 above box 253 is subsequently pulled away by means of a further manipulator 254, whereafter products CC drop into the box 253.
- a product carrier 260 (fig. 25) this latter is constructed from basic elements 261 which are can slide into each other using a dovetail joint to form a product carrier of desired size.
- a connecting element 271 according to fig. 26 both side walls of two successive product carriers, which are manufactured for instance from extruded aluminium or plastic material, can take an identical form, which further facilitates the manufacture.
- a bin-like form which is preferably obtained using injection moulding techniques for injection moulding such an element 280, for instance from plastic.
- the product carrier 290 of fig. 28 there is an outer bin 291 in which, depending on the product for handling, a separate inner part 292 can be placed which is exchangeable and which can thus be easily adapted to the dimensions of a product.
- a product carrier 300 according to fig. 29 is particularly suitable for products 231 in a flexible packaging such as bags and comprises upward inclining wall parts 232 between which the packagings 233 can be introduced using a downward sloping outfeed conveyor 233.
- products DD can be clamped between standing wall parts 311 using resilient lips 312, which is also of importance for particular forms of packaging. This clamping is achieved according to fig. 31 by using link connections 321 between successive side walls 322 of product carrier 320.
- a product carrier 330 is used in a process for realizing a product EE, for instance cake, prior to the baking process in an oven 332. It is equally conceivable to have assembly of products and product carriers and packaging of an assembled product from a product carrier take place consecutively.
- two product carrying elements 341 respectively 342 are mutually connectable using a permanent magnet 343 and a metal plate 344, whereby a seamless connection takes place with sufficient adhesive force, while the product carrying elements 341 and 342 can be pulled apart if desired.
- a further preferred embodiment relates to a product carrier 390 as shown in fig. 38, wherein the bottom is formed by at least partly elastic cords 391, so that using a press-through member 392 a product HH can be pressed through the bottom into a packaging box 393, wherein as application the situation can for instance be envisaged where the products HH are for instance croquettes.
- An alternative preferred embodiment relates to a product carrier 400 as according to fig. 39, wherein the bottom is formed by pins 401 extending halfway which are manufactured for instance from polyurethane or silicone rubber and through which the products HH can be pressed into a packaging box 402.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
- Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
- Specific Conveyance Elements (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- Packaged or non-packaged (naked) products are usually temporarily buffered or collected from a production supply for the subsequent fully or partially automatic further processing, such as measuring, counting, packaging, coding etc., in an apparatus which is especially suitable for this purpose. An example of such an apparatus is described in applicant's European patent 0 509 583.
- From EP-A-0 531 610 an apparatus is known, which is suitable for temporarily storing or buffering and/or setting to pitch of products in combination with carrying means which apparatus comprises:
- infeed means for feeding of products into the carrying means at relatively high speed;
- a conveyor track or belt, for conveying the carrier means at relatively low speed; and
- outfeed means for discharging of products from the carrying means at relatively high speed,
- With this known apparatus products supplied with random spacing can be set at an almost constant pitch, which is important for the above mentioned further processing. In order to obtain a sufficiently high capacity, wherein for instance six hundred products per minute are fed and discharged, all components of this known apparatus must meet very high standards, particularly because of the great decelerations and accelerations taking place at each step of feed and discharge.
- The present invention provides an above mentioned apparatus for temporarily storing or buffering and/or setting to pitch of products, which is characterized in that said carrying means comprise one or more product carriers for carrying two or more products, said product carriers being movable independently to and from the conveyor and being loaded and unloaded with products at the infeed and outfeed locations respectively the transport of said product carriers at said outfeed and said infeed and outfeed locations being substantially independent of the movement of the conveyor track or belt.
- Because the above mentioned accelerations and decelerations only need take place at feed and discharge and not in the case of the conveyor belt on which the product carrying means are transported, a simple and therefore less expensive storage/buffer apparatus is provided by the present invention.
- The carrying means preferably comprise a product carrier for receiving a plurality of products fed mutually adjacently, which product carriers can then be transported over the conveyor belt at for instance relatively low speed.
- It is important that the product carriers are positioned precisely in relation to the infeed means and outfeed means during respectively feed and discharge of products.
- Preferred embodiments of the product carriers comprise for this purpose a tooth track on the underside of a product carrier, suction means close to an infeed location, or a groove or a pin on a product carrier whereby transport thereof can take place in precise manner.
- Through use of the product carrier an extremely flexible apparatus and method can be applied in accordance with conditions desired by the user.
- The present invention further provides a method and a product carrier for use in the apparatus and method according to the present invention.
- The product carrier is preferably constructed from standardized carrier elements and the product carriers are releasably connectable to each other.
- Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated on the basis of the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:
- fig. 1 shows a view in perspective of an infeed station for use in an apparatus according to the present invention;
- fig. 2 shows a view in perspective of a second preferred embodiment of an infeed station according to the present invention;
- fig. 3 shows a view in perspective of a third preferred embodiment of an infeed station according to the present invention;
- fig. 4 shows a view in perspective of a fourth preferred embodiment of an infeed station according to the present invention;
- fig. 5 shows a view in perspective of a fifth preferred embodiment of an infeed station for use in the present invention;
- fig. 6 shows a view in perspective of a sixth preferred embodiment of an infeed station according to the present invention;
- fig. 7 shows a view in perspective of a seventh preferred embodiment of an infeed station according to the present invention;
- fig. 8 shows a top view of an apparatus and method according to the present invention;
- fig. 9 shows a view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus and method according to the present invention;
- fig, 10 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;
- fig. 11 shows a top view of a further embodiment of the apparatus and method according to the present invention;
- fig. 12 shows a view in perspective of an outfeed station for use in the apparatus and method according to the present invention;
- fig. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative for use in the outfeed station according to fig. 12;
- fig. 14 is a perspective view of a method and apparatus applicable in the present invention for temporarily storing or buffering carrying means;
- fig. 15 is a perspective view of an infeed station for use in the apparatus according to the present invention;
- fig. 16 shows a top view of an outfeed station for use in the apparatus according to the present invention;
- fig. 17 shows a view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of the method and apparatus according to the present invention;
- fig. 18 is a view in perspective of products in a carrying member;
- fig. 19 shows a view in perspective of a plurality of product carrying means disposed mutually adjacently;
- fig. 20 shows a view in perspective of an outfeed station for use in the apparatus according to the present invention;
- fig. 21 is a perspective view of another outfeed station for use in the apparatus according to the present invention;
- fig. 22 is a perspective view of another outfeed station for use in the apparatus according to the present invention;
- fig. 23 shows a perspective view of an outfeed station for use in the apparatus and method according to the present invention;
- fig. 24 shows a perspective view of means for carrying products for use in an apparatus according to the present invention;
- fig. 25 shows a perspective view of an alternative for the connection of carrying elements of fig. 24;
- fig. 26 shows a perspective view of an alternative carrying element;
- fig. 27 shows a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a product carrying element for use in the apparatus and method according to the present invention;
- fig. 28 shows a view in perspective of a further preferred embodiment of product carrying elements for use in the apparatus according to the present invention;
- fig. 29 shows a view in perspective of a further preferred embodiment of product carrying elements according to the present invention;
- fig. 30 shows a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of a product carrying device for use in an apparatus and method according to the present invention;
- fig. 31 shows a perspective view of an application of a product carrying element;
- fig. 32 is a view in perspective of a plurality of coupled product carrying elements;
- fig. 33 is a view in perspective of product carrying elements coupled in alternative manner;
- fig. 34 shows a view in perspective of another preferred embodiment of mutually coupled product carrying elements;
- fig. 35 shows a view in perspective of the apparatus of fig. 34 in the product releasing position;
- fig. 36 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of fig. 34 and 35 in an alternative embodiment;
- fig. 37 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a product carrying element according to the present invention; and
- fig. 38 shows a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of a product carrying element according to the present invention.
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- In a first preferred embodiment (fig. 1) of the apparatus and method according to the present invention,
product carrying elements 10, 11 are fed onto aconveyor belt 12. On the underside the product carriers are provided with atooth track 13 respectively 14. Theproduct carriers 10, 11 are transported in the direction of arrow A by means ofpinions 15 respectively 16 which engage on racks and which are connected via shafts 17 respectively 18 to anelectric stepping motor 19. The drive of shaft 17 takes place via atoothed belt 20, wherein it is recommended that shaft 17 is driven at slightly greater speed thanshaft 18 by means of a correctly chosen transmission ratio. Shaft 17 is further provided with aslip coupling 21. It is important thatproduct carriers 10, 11 can be filled successively in accurate manner with products P, P', P". By causingtoothed wheel 15 to run faster the product carrier 11 is caught up byproduct carrier 10 and the latter can connect precisely onto product carrier 11 at the infeed station. Theslip coupling 21 prevents theproduct carrier 10 pushing product carrier 11 further along in the connected position. Toothedwheel 15 is pressed firmly into the toothing 13 by aspring 23 which is arranged on a frame part 22. - Depending on the process, the
product carriers 10 and 11 can be driven stepwise or at a more continuous speed. - In the infeed station according to fig. 2 the
product carriers conveyor belt 34. Aconveyor belt 35 provided withsuction apertures 36 is driven faster thanconveyor belt 34 such thatproduct carrier 30 is moved towardproduct carrier 31 in accelerated manner and held fixedly by suction throughapertures 36. A further conveyor 37 provided withcarriers 38 ensures that the product carriers are moved at the correct (stepped or continuous) speed to a position close to afeed conveyor 39 for feeding products Q into the product carriers. The final position of the product carriers relative to thefeed conveyor 39 can be determined by thecarriers 38 and the speed of the drive belt 37, which is slightly lower than the speed ofbelt 35 whereby some slip of the product carriers occurs relative toconveyor 35. The degree of suction through the suction apertures must be adapted accordingly. - In the embodiment of fig. 3 products R are fed into a
product carrier 40 which is preferably driven intermittently using an electric motor, in each case until an opening of theproduct carrier 40 arrives in front of afeed conveyor 42. The product carrier 40 (and corresponding product carrier 43) are each provided with acam 44, the presence of which is detected by a control system (not shown) by means of a ratchet 45. - When
cam 44 has passed ratchet 45 theproduct carrier 43 is moved in accelerated manner in the direction of the arrow B using the rear part of ratchet 45 and thecam 44, for instance using an air cylinder, untilproduct carrier 43 connects seamlessly to theproduct carrier 40. - At the loading station according to fig. 4 a
product carrier 50 is driven intermittently as according to arrows E by aconveyor 51 withcarriers 52. During the standstill period theproduct carriers 50 can be loaded with products S viafeed conveyor 53. Using a pushingmember 54 oneproduct carrier 50 at a time is pushed from themain conveyor belt 55 in the direction of the arrow F onto thefinal conveyor 51, while it is guided back as according to arrow G onto themain conveyor belt 55 usingguides - In the embodiment of fig. 5
product carriers 61 are provided on the underside withgripping elements 62 which are gripped on both sides bybelts gripping elements 62 usingbellows members - In a manner not shown the infeed of a product into
product carrier 61 is preferably determined using a photocell, whereafter transport takes place intermittently using belts 63-65 and bellows members 66-69. In this embodiment theproduct carriers 61 do not have to connect to each other seamlessly. - In the embodiment of fig. 6 the
product carriers guide groove 73 on the underside thereof. The product carriers are provided in each case with acam 74 onto which engages apusher part 75 which is pushed by pushingcylinder 76. In thegroove 73 engages apin part 77 which is moved reciprocally according to arrow J alongslide rod 79 using a cylinder 78. The underside ofpin 77 is guided in acurve path 81 using awheel 80, wherebypin 77 is also moved up and downward as according toK. Portions 82 ofgroove 73 are embodied in each case slightly deeper than the other parts thereof in accordance with the guiding in thecurve path 81. - Through co-action of
cylinders 76 and 78 theproduct carriers groove 73 at each reciprocal movement of thepin 77, which displacement corresponds with an infeed position for a product inproduct carrier 71. - In the case of the drive of the product carrier shown in fig. 6, gas or liquid cylinders can suffice for the driving.
- In the embodiment according to fig. 7 the displacement through one infeed position for feeding products T above product carriers 90 is realized in co-action with a pushing
cylinder 91, apusher part 92 of which engages onprotrusion 93, and acurve roller 95 driven by an electric motor 94 in the curve of which apin part 96 engages in each case on the underside of the product carriers. - An
apparatus 100 as according to fig. 8 comprises amain conveyor belt 101 driven substantially at constant speed on whichproduct carriers 102 are discharged at theoutfeed station 103 usingdischarge device 104, such as a so-called top loader, for instance in (cardboard)boxes 105. On thesupply side 106 are placed twofeed conveyors 107 respectively 108 with which theproduct carriers 102 must be filled with products. In this arrangement each of the embodiments shown in fig. 1-7 can be used for theinfeed stations 109 respectively 110. In order to enable simultaneous operation with two infeed stations aconveyor 111 is placed adjacently of themain conveyor belt 101, to whichconveyor 111 product carriers are fed by means of a pushingdevice 112, which product carriers are returned to themain conveyor belt 101 using a second pushingdevice 113. - In this arrangement according to fig. 8 it is therefore possible to feed products into
product carriers 102 with double infeed unit without the speed of themain conveyor belt 101 having to correspond with the speed of this infeed, whereby less stringent requirements are made of the components of thismain conveyor belt 101 and whereby the arrangement enables a flexible adaptation in determined production environments. - In the compact arrangement of fig. 9
product carriers 120 are filled with products T from asupply conveyor 122 at aninfeed station 121 and emptied at anoutfeed station 122, using for instance a pick-and-place robot 123, into abox 124 for further processing of the products T. The emptiedproduct carriers 120 are transported back via areturn conveyor 125, whereafter they can be fed again onto themain conveyor belt 126 on the left-hand side 9. - Fig. 10 illustrates an arrangement wherein products Q are fed into
product carriers 131 at aninfeed station 130 and subsequently transported via themain conveyor belt 132 to anoutfeed station 133, taken from theproduct carriers 131 and placed intopackagings 134 for instance using atop loader 135. - In the arrangement of fig. 11 use is made of a
single infeed station 140 to feed products U intoproduct carriers 141, while the speed of arobot 142 is utilized optimally by causing discharge of the products from the product carriers take place on themain conveyor belt 146 as well as on an adjacently disposed, substantiallyparallel conveyor belt 143, on whichproduct carriers 141 are likewise supplied and discharged using pushingmembers 144 respectively 145. - Fig. 12 shows a preferred embodiment of an
outfeed station 140, wherein products V are pushed, usingfingers 147 on a pushingmember 148, out of aproduct carrier 141 into abox 149. A plurality of such pushingmembers 148 can of course be arranged adjacently of each other. - In the alternative embodiment of fig. 13 two
product carriers 141 are arranged one above the other and a pushingmember 150 is provided withfingers 151 arranged adjacently of and above each other to slide products V into abox 152. - If the application of the apparatus according to the present invention gives cause thereto, the product carriers, such as 141 of fig. 12 and 13, can be buffered in a buffer station 160 (fig. 14). In the shown embodiment a
product carrier 141 is fed into theinput end 161 and added to the bottom ofstack 162, while at the top an upper product carrier is added to asecond stack 162. - On the
outfeed side 164 thebottom product carrier 143 is discharged in each case, whereby a system of first-in-last-out results. It is equally conceivable to obtain a system of first-in-first-out with a different arrangement of stacks. In the embodiment according to fig. 15 aproduct carrier 170 is for instance first of all filled with apackaging 171 which is placed inproduct carrier 170 by a placingmember 172 provided with teeth. Products W are then placed in the direction of arrow M into the product carrier provided with apackaging 171. The packaging with products W is subsequently pushed upward out ofproduct carrier 170 by a press-outmember 173. - In this preferred embodiment of the present invention products and packagings are simultaneously removed from the product carrier, which simplifies further operations.
- In the arrangement according to fig. 16 there are two
feed conveyors 180 respectively 181 forseparate infeed stations 182 respectively 183 for products X which are placed in aproduct carrier 184 on twomain conveyor belts 185 respectively 186, whereinoutfeed stations 187 respectively 188 are positioned mutually adjacently so that a pick-and-place robot 189 can transfer products X out of the product carriers into boxes 190. - In the embodiment of fig. 17 products Y are placed into
product carriers 201 atinfeed station 200 and products Y are removed by a robot arm 203 atoutfeed station 202, whereafterproduct carriers 201 return to feedpart 205 upside down along the underside of the transportingdevice 204. In this manner an extremely compact apparatus according to the present invention is obtained. - In fig. 18 a product carrier 210 is shown in which products Z are arranged in a plurality of product carriers with products in a number of different directions, a so-called multiple product carrier, which can have advantages in particular applications.
- Another embodiment of a multiple product carrier is shown in fig. 19, in which products Z are placed in the same direction adjacently of each other in a
multiple product carrier 212 and can be discharged simultaneously into threeboxes 214 using pushing members (for instance as in fig. 12) which are not shown in fig. 19. - In the preferred embodiment according to fig. 20 products AA are pushed out of
product carrier 220 using a pushingmember 221 and into astationary product carrier 222 which is arranged in alignment withproduct carrier 220, so that the product carriers do not have to wait until arobot arm 224 has finished discharging products from a product carrier but anew product carrier 220 can be transported directly in front of pushingmember 221. - In the preferred arrangement of fig. 21
product carriers 230 are supplied as according to arrow N and pressed by a pressingmember 231 transversely of this main transporting direction N, wherein a robot arm which is not shown in fig. 21 is capable of discharging the products from the product carriers in both positions in front of thepressing member 231. - In the preferred embodiment of fig. 22 a plurality of
product carriers 241 is emptied using arobot arm 240, whereafter these product carriers can be discharged at a level under thesupply belt 242 by aconveyor belt 243 to further accelerate discharge of the products. For this purpose theproduct carriers 241 are gripped at the sides byside belts 244 and clamped therebetween during discharge of the products, whereafterproduct carriers 241 are released by theside belts 244 and fall onto thelower conveyor belt 243 under the influence of the force of gravity. - In an arrangement as according to fig. 23
full product carriers 245 are received by aconveyor 246 which moves up and downward, wherein thefull product carriers 245 are first moved upward, then emptied using arobot arm 247 and subsequently further transported in empty state on aparallel conveyor belt 248. The products BB are discharged into abox 249. This preferred embodiment has the further advantage that while products BB are being transferred into thebox 249 byrobot arm 247, a number of full product carriers can already be standing ready thereunder. - The preferred embodiment of fig. 24 relates to the situation wherein products CC in a
product carrier 251 are turned over using amanipulator 252 and, in a turned-over position designated with dotted lines ofproduct carrier 251 above abox 253, aplate 255 abovebox 253 is subsequently pulled away by means of afurther manipulator 254, whereafter products CC drop into thebox 253. - In a preferred embodiment of a product carrier 260 (fig. 25) this latter is constructed from
basic elements 261 which are can slide into each other using a dovetail joint to form a product carrier of desired size. Using the separate connectingelement 271 according to fig. 26 both side walls of two successive product carriers, which are manufactured for instance from extruded aluminium or plastic material, can take an identical form, which further facilitates the manufacture. - In the preferred embodiment of a
product carrying element 280 according to fig. 27 with closed end faces 281 respectively 282 there is a bin-like form, which is preferably obtained using injection moulding techniques for injection moulding such anelement 280, for instance from plastic. In theproduct carrier 290 of fig. 28 there is anouter bin 291 in which, depending on the product for handling, a separateinner part 292 can be placed which is exchangeable and which can thus be easily adapted to the dimensions of a product. - A
product carrier 300 according to fig. 29 is particularly suitable forproducts 231 in a flexible packaging such as bags and comprises upward incliningwall parts 232 between which thepackagings 233 can be introduced using a downward slopingoutfeed conveyor 233. - Using the
product carriers 310 and 320 (fig. 30 respectively 31) products DD can be clamped between standingwall parts 311 usingresilient lips 312, which is also of importance for particular forms of packaging. This clamping is achieved according to fig. 31 by usinglink connections 321 betweensuccessive side walls 322 ofproduct carrier 320. - In the embodiment of fig. 32 a
product carrier 330 is used in a process for realizing a product EE, for instance cake, prior to the baking process in anoven 332. It is equally conceivable to have assembly of products and product carriers and packaging of an assembled product from a product carrier take place consecutively. - In the
product carrier 340 according to fig. 33 twoproduct carrying elements 341 respectively 342 are mutually connectable using a permanent magnet 343 and ametal plate 344, whereby a seamless connection takes place with sufficient adhesive force, while theproduct carrying elements - In the embodiment of fig. 34 two
product carrying elements ratchet element 354 which is provided with ahook element 353 and which can be actuated using a cam (not shown) on an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention. - In the
product carrier 360 of fig. 35separate elements guide rods 366, for instance to the opened position shown in fig. 36, wherein insertion of products GG can take place more easily. It is likewise possible to open only one product position, for instance the one furthest to the right betweenelements - A further preferred embodiment relates to a
product carrier 390 as shown in fig. 38, wherein the bottom is formed by at least partlyelastic cords 391, so that using a press-through member 392 a product HH can be pressed through the bottom into apackaging box 393,
wherein as application the situation can for instance be envisaged where the products HH are for instance croquettes. An alternative preferred embodiment relates to aproduct carrier 400 as according to fig. 39, wherein the bottom is formed bypins 401 extending halfway which are manufactured for instance from polyurethane or silicone rubber and through which the products HH can be pressed into apackaging box 402.
Claims (12)
- A system, including an apparatus for temporary storing or buffering and/or setting to pitch of products (P,P',P''; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; AA; BB; CC; DD; FF; GG; GGG; HH) and carrying means (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) for carrying of a number of products (P,P',P''; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; AA; BB; CC; DD; FF; GG; GGG; HH), said apparatus comprising:infeed means for feeding of products (P,P',P''; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; AA; BB; CC; DD; FF; GG; GGG; HH) into the carrying means (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) at relatively high speed;a conveyor track (12; 34; 55; 101; 122; 132; 146; 205; 242) or belt, for conveying the carrier means (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) at relatively low speed; andoutfeed means for discharging of products (P,P',P''; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; AA; BB; CC; DD; FF; GG; GGG; HH) from the carrying means (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) at relatively high speed,
characterized in that
said carrying means (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) comprise one or more product carriers (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) for carrying two or more products (P,P',P"; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; AA; BB; CC; DD; FF; GG; GGG; HH), said product carriers (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) being movable independently to and from the conveyor (12; 34; 55; 101; 122; 132; 146; 205; 242) and being loaded and unloaded with products (P,P',P''; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; AA; BB; CC; DD; FF; GG; GGG; HH) at the infeed and outfeed locations respectively the transport of said product carriers (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) at said outfeed and said infeed and outfeed locations being substantially independent of the movement of the conveyor track (12; 34; 55; 101; 122; 132; 146; 205; 242) or belt. - A system according to claim 1, wherein the accelerations and decelerations only take place at the infeed and outfeed means.
- A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the carrying means comprise one or more product carriers (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) to receive two or more products (P,P',P''; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; AA; BB; CC; DD; FF; GG; GGG; HH) adjacent to each other.
- A system according to claim 3, wherein each product carrier (10,11; 40,43; 131; 260; 390; 400) is provided with a tooth rack (13,14) onto which a pinion (15,16;130) being part of the infeed means, engages.
- A system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the infeed means are provided with suction means (35,36) to hold the product carrier (30,31,32,33) onto a conveyor (35).
- A system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the infeed and/or outfeed means are formed by a top loader (103;123;135;142;189;224;240;247) or a robot provided with one or more gripping members.
- A system according to claim 6, wherein two outfeed locations situated adjacent to each other are arranged underneath the toploader (103; 123; 135; 142; 189; 224; 240; 247).
- A system according to any of claims 1-7, wherein said product carrier (260;280;290) is built from carrier elements (261;272;282;292) of substantially the same shape.
- A system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a product carrier (360) comprises parts (361,362,363,364,365) movable towards and from each other to engage a product (FF;GG) to a great or lesser degree.
- A system according to claim 9, wherein the connecting means between the carriers (341,342) comprise a magnet (343) and a sheet (344) of magnetizable material.
- A system according to claim 1-10, wherein the product carrier (390;400) is provided with a bottom through which products (HH) are pushable.
- A method for temporary storing or buffering and/or setting to pitch of products (P,P',P''; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; AA; BB; CC; DD; FF; GG; GGG; HH), comprising the following steps:feeding products into carrying means (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) at a predetermined location of a transport track;conveying of the products (P,P',P''; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; AA; BB; CC; DD; FF; GG; GGG; HH) in the carrying means (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) to a predetermined outfeed location at the conveyor track thereby; andoutfeeding the products (P,P',P''; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; AA; BB; CC; DD; FF; GG; GGG; HH) from the carrying means at the outfeed location, wherein the carrying means (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) are accelerated in synchronization with the feeding into the carrying means (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) and with the outfeeding, so as to adapt to the relatively high speed thereof, and wherein said carrying means (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) are decelerated to adapt to the relatively low speed of the transport track,moving the product carriers (10,11; 30,31,32,33; 40,43; 50; 61; 70,71,72; 90; 102; 120; 131; 141; 171; 184; 201; 212; 220; 230; 241; 245; 251; 260; 290; 300; 310; 320; 340; 351; 352; 360; 390; 400) independingly to and from the conveyor (12; 34; 55; 101; 122; 132; 146; 205; 242),loading and unloading the product carriers with products (P,P',P''; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; AA; BB; CC; DD; FF; GG; GGG; HH) at the infeed and outfeed locations respectively,
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
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NL1001505 | 1995-10-26 | ||
NL1001505 | 1995-10-26 | ||
NL1002840A NL1002840C2 (en) | 1995-10-26 | 1996-04-10 | Device and method for temporarily storing or buffering products. |
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PCT/NL1996/000424 WO1997015514A1 (en) | 1995-10-26 | 1996-10-28 | Apparatus and method for temporarily storing or buffering of products |
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EP0958207A1 EP0958207A1 (en) | 1999-11-24 |
EP0958207B1 true EP0958207B1 (en) | 2002-01-09 |
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EP96935582A Expired - Lifetime EP0958207B1 (en) | 1995-10-26 | 1996-10-28 | Apparatus and method for temporarily storing or buffering of products |
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EP (1) | EP0958207B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE211708T1 (en) |
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WO (1) | WO1997015514A1 (en) |
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US3622043A (en) * | 1969-12-30 | 1971-11-23 | Bernard Chotard | Automatic presentation storage unit with moveable tray system |
IT984820B (en) * | 1973-04-26 | 1974-11-20 | Mori C | AUTOMATIC MACHINE CAPABLE OF ORDERLY PREPARING AFFIAN CANDLES IN PREFIXABLE NUMBER OF BAGS OR PUSHES OR OTHER OBJECTS OF A GEOMETRIC SHAPE NOT DEFINED OR MODIFIABLE |
NL7806436A (en) * | 1978-06-14 | 1979-12-18 | Stork Amsterdam | TRANSPORT DEVICE. |
US4359149A (en) * | 1980-08-04 | 1982-11-16 | Polaroid Corporation | Accumulator for use with modular production line units |
DK174001B1 (en) * | 1987-11-13 | 2002-04-08 | Vortex Systems Srl | Apparatus for transporting and grouping items |
LU88002A1 (en) * | 1990-09-07 | 1992-06-01 | Oseney Ltd | TRANSPORT AND STORAGE SYSTEM |
JP2867174B2 (en) * | 1990-09-25 | 1999-03-08 | 東亜医用電子株式会社 | Sampler for multiple samples |
DE4033475A1 (en) * | 1990-10-20 | 1992-04-23 | Handtmann A Punkt Automation | TRANSPORTATION DEVICE |
IT1246205B (en) * | 1991-01-21 | 1994-11-16 | Geca Srl | EQUIPMENT FOR THE TRANSPORT AND GROUPING OF PRODUCTS |
IT1251406B (en) * | 1991-09-10 | 1995-05-09 | Barilla Flli G & R | EQUIPMENT FOR THE TRANSPORT OF PRODUCTS, IN PARTICULAR OF PACKED FOOD PRODUCTS, FROM A LOADING STATION TO A PRODUCT UNLOADING STATION. |
US5690463A (en) * | 1992-07-31 | 1997-11-25 | Nippon Filing Co., Ltd. | Book storage/retrieval apparatus |
DE4314613C2 (en) * | 1993-05-04 | 2003-02-20 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | packaging machine |
DE4400925C2 (en) * | 1994-01-14 | 1996-10-02 | Haensel Otto Gmbh | Storage for items |
DE4404902C2 (en) * | 1994-02-16 | 2002-04-11 | Hauni Maschinenbau Ag | Method and device for handling containers holding cigarette trays |
-
1996
- 1996-04-10 NL NL1002840A patent/NL1002840C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1996-10-28 WO PCT/NL1996/000424 patent/WO1997015514A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1996-10-28 AT AT96935582T patent/ATE211708T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1996-10-28 EP EP96935582A patent/EP0958207B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-10-28 US US09/051,922 patent/US6170634B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-10-28 DE DE69618676T patent/DE69618676T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102011105887A1 (en) * | 2011-06-27 | 2012-12-27 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Apparatus and method for grouping items |
US9056726B2 (en) | 2011-06-27 | 2015-06-16 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Device and method for grouping articles |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69618676D1 (en) | 2002-02-28 |
ATE211708T1 (en) | 2002-01-15 |
DE69618676T2 (en) | 2002-09-12 |
NL1002840C2 (en) | 1997-05-02 |
EP0958207A1 (en) | 1999-11-24 |
WO1997015514A1 (en) | 1997-05-01 |
US6170634B1 (en) | 2001-01-09 |
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